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Brave Irene

In late 2009, indie pop legend Rose Melberg (of Tiger Trap, the Softies, Go Sailor, and many fine solo albums) formed a new band called Brave Irene. Made up of friends from her adopted hometown of Vancouver, the quintet looked to the swirling pop of New Zealand and the Flying Nun label for inspiration. Featuring Melberg on guitar and vocals, Caitlin Gilroy on keyboards, guitar, tambourine, and vocals, Jessica Wilkin on organ, Amanda Pezzutto on bass and vocals, and Laura Hatfield on drums, the group recorded its self-titled debut EP with producer John Collins at JC/DC Studios. Released by Slumberland in March of 2011, the EP shows Melberg to be in fine songwriting form and the band to be perfect backing for her wonderful voice. The band splintered after the recordings were made, with Hatfield moving to Sweden for school and Wilkin decamping to India, leaving the prospects of Brave Irene continuing on as a group questionable. ~ Tim Sendra